Retired Queen’s Nurses

The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland has always been committed to the provision of welfare support to retired Queen’s Nurses. Years ago, when many Queen’s Nurses remained single and lived in the ‘nurse’s cottage’ during their careers, some experienced significant financial hardship in older age. Today we continue to provide hardship grants for those in need but the emphasis of our welfare work has changed. We have consulted about how we can do that most effectively. Retired QN’s were asked what is important to them about our welfare work and these are some of the words they used:

This provides an opportunity for retired QN’s to come together from across Scotland to meet old friends and share news, as well as hear about what the Institute is doing over an excellent lunch. Buses are run from Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The 2019 Gathering will be held at the Crieff Hydro on Monday 17th June. Booking forms will be available in January 2019.

Holidays for retired Queens Nurses are arranged annually at Crieff Hydro. This provides an opportunity for retired Queen’s Nurses to come together and enjoy a holiday, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the fellowship of others.

The 2019 holiday dates are 17th to 21st June and 16th to 20th September. Booking forms will be available in January 2019.

If you would like to know more, please contact Fiona Fitheridge on 0131 229 2333

A network of volunteer Visitors, generally retired Queen’s Nurses themselves, are available to visit or phone retired Queen’s Nurses. They provide fellowship, and support and most importantly, keep the retired Queen’s Nurses connected to the Institute. If you are a retired Queen’s Nurse who would like to find out more about QNIS Visitors, whether you would like a visitor or to express interest in being a visitor, please contact Fiona Fitheridge on 0131 229 2333.

We send out a newsletter each summer to all the retired Queen’s Nurses. A copy of the most recent newsletter can be read here.

We are only able to provide support for retired Queen’s Nurses. However, there are many other organisations that may be able to provide help and support for retired nurses who are not QNs.

The Nurses Memorial to King Edward VII in Scotland

Junius S Morgan Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund for Nurses

Sources of advice and support:

Age Scotland – 0845 833 0200

Silverline – 0800 4 70 80 90

History of our Welfare

Since 1907, Queen’s Nurses were offered respite from their work at Colinton Cottage – the home of one of the Institute’s founders and Honorary Secretary, Miss Guthrie Wright. Although Colinton Cottage was sold some time ago, the tradition of offering respite has continued, and for many years now we have offered the nurses the opportunity of a holiday at Crieff Hydro, which continues the aim of Miss Guthrie Wright all those years ago.